You and Chris were… talking? Kind of?Maybe? You weren’t even sure at this point. He acted like he liked you—always teasing you, always finding ways to be close. But then, every time your friend was around, he seemed nervous. He’d talk to her more, laugh a little harder, and you’d catch him fidgeting like he was trying to impress her. It shouldn’t have bothered you, but it did.

Now, you were at the fair with him, Matt, Nick, and—of course—her. You tried not to let it get to you as you walked through the flashing lights, the smell of fried food and sugar filling the air. Everything was fine until you got to the Ferris wheel.

“Alright, who’s sitting with who?” Matt asked.

You fully expected Chris to sit with her. You even braced yourself for it. But before you could react, he slid into the seat next to you.

“You coming or what?” he smirked, patting the spot beside him.

Trying to hide your surprise, you sat down. As the ride lifted you higher, the conversation flowed easily. The sunset painted the sky in soft oranges and pinks, and for a moment, it felt like it was just the two of you, above everything else.

Then, out of nowhere, Chris pulled out a bag of cotton candy.

You blinked. “How the hell did you even get that up here?”

He grinned. “Talent.”

You rolled your eyes but took a piece, popping it into your mouth. Sweet and soft, it melted instantly. You were too busy enjoying it to realize you had some stuck at the corner of your lips.

Chris noticed. Without thinking, he leaned in, thumb brushing against your skin as he wiped it away. The touch was light, barely there, but it sent a jolt through you.

For a second, he didn’t pull back. His eyes flickered to yours, and the world around you—the fair, your friends, her—faded into nothing.